13/08/2026
We wouldn’t have dreamt of visiting Dawlish Warren during the school holidays this time last year but yesterday, rather than try & drag me away, she processed the things she was unsure of & carried on anyway. She checks in with me so much more now when she’s unsure. We work really hard to make sure she’s as happy as a little girl can be & it’s moments like this that show me our hard work is paying off 💖
Proud behaviourist moment!
This little lady is Darcy. When I first started working with her, she looked to most people like an excitable dog that liked to run around, and pulled on her lead. But Darcy was actually a very nervous girl and struggled because of this. Things with wheels, traffic, loud noises, kids, busy areas - it was all too much.
One of the first things I noticed with Darcy was an abnormal gait. Based on her movement and behaviour, I did suspect pain was a factor. Most people think that dogs who are in pain won't want to run, play, or go about their day "normally", but this is not how chronic pain presents. Darcy's mum got her some x-rays and a diagnosis which means her exercise can be adapted to suit her condition, and she has a pain management plan.
Alongside all of this, her and her mum have worked very hard together to support confidence building, slowing down, calm processing, and to help Darcy feel differently in areas where she may have struggled before. Behaviour change rooted in confidence building and not suppression does not happen overnight, and Darcy's mum has put the work in.
Yesterday we were able to go for a walk in Dawlish Warren during the summer holidays. Darcy enjoyed herself, mum worked with her beautifully. She was able to check in with mum if she wasn't sure, calmly process, and carry on. Yesterday's walk was an incredible testament to how far Darcy has come and I am really proud of her. Trains, the noise of the go karts, children on scooters, people, dogs. She took it all in her stride ❤️
Well done Jo & Darcy 👏